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| Brothers . December 2013 (Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett) |
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| October 17, 2013 | Thursday we decided to have another low-key day. We swam at the resort's pool with Nana & Papa, and participated in the craft activity (painting vases). Jarrett insisted on taking his new toy - a white stuffed mouse - into the pool - it made for a few funny looks from the other swimmers. The boys took one last nap together after lunch, and we headed to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner. Back at the resort, we just relaxed - Jarrett read the paper with Papa. The boys spent one last night in the bed together. We had initially worried about how well they would sleep while at the resort, but they all absolutely loved being able to sleep in the same bed! It did take them longer to fall asleep, but it was so cute hearing them giggling together! |
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| October 19, 2013 | After checking out from the resort, we met my parents at the Alpine Slide. My dad, Patrick, and I took the boys up the gondola, and down the slide. We chose partners for the ride down well - Ryder loved going with Papa, Jarrett was so happy to go (very) fast with Patrick, and Harvick was content going much slower with me! The car was packed FULL for the ride home, and about half way home, the boys all crashed. Once home, the boys all immediately requested a snack and an episode of Thomas while we unpacked the car! Our trip was so perfect for our family. We loved spending the time together, and made several great memories. This trip helped us decide for sure to head to San Diego next spring! |
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| Random photos of December. |
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| We try to fit in lots of fun on the weekends! We started out at Home Depot, building a toolbox, and then shopping for a few things we needed. When we got home the boys played, and "helped" shovel the driveway. On Sunday Grandma Jody and Ann came over, and the boys painted their own Christmas Tree ornament. |
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| On a night that Patrick was teaching class, the boys were having a hard night. I sent Patrick a text with these pictures to show them just how much they miss their dad! Random photos...Ryder using my Christmas pillow to rest, Harvick in the bath, Ryder and Harvick working together to put the pillow in it's case, and the boys opening (and sampling!) a box of snacks from Nature Box. One of my co-workers, Lesnie, gave me a new scarf as an early Christmas present - the boys thought it was hysterical to try it on! More random photos...Ryder asleep in his carseat (something that rarely happens), Jarrett at the dentist (all the boys went, but I only got one photo), the boys playing trains together, Jarrett dressed himself in the construction costume, and Harvick & Jarrett shopping with Patrick at Costco. |
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| The boys LOVE playing outside in the snow. It doesn't matter how cold it was outside, they wanted to be out playing! |
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| The last weekend of the month Harvick and Jarrett weren't feeling great - each had colds. We stayed home from church, and let the boys have a pajama day to rest. Practicing speech on the iPad is always a great distraction, but when Jarrett noticed Patrick and Ryder had gone outside, he got himself dressed (hat and scarf!), and was devastated when he couldn't stay out to play. The next day, school called, and said Jarrett was too sick to stay - Patrick took the afternoon off with him - they rested at home, went to the doctor (ear infection), to Target for his RX, and we all had a slow-paced evening at home. |
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| I've always enjoyed the Christmas lights at the 25th Street Village in Ogden, but going with the boys is even more enjoyable. They love it! We walked around the park, looking at each of the displays, the boys took a ride on the train, and we enjoyed just being together! It was a cold night, but it was worth it! |
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| The night before Christmas Eve, after the boys had a bath and were in their pajamas, we went to Layton Park to drive through the light display. Once we got there, we decided last-minute to walk around the park, rather than just driving through. Luckily, the boys were wearing their boots (to prevent pajama pants from getting wet in the garage), their hats, and had brought their new blankets. We got a few strange looks about the boys' attire, but it was worth it! |
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| Although we visited the Layton Park lights earlier in the month, we headed back one more time - this time ready to walk around (not wrapped in blankets). The boys are enamored with the displays, and especially love the walk-through light tunnel. |
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| We attended Alphabet Soup at the Treehouse Museum for the letter "H", where we celebrated "holidays". |
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| Before heading to Papa and Nana's house, we attempted a few family portraits on our Front Porch. None of the pictures turned out perfectly, but the compilation of them is perfect! |
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| Our first Christmas celebration was with Papa and Nana at their house. The boys loved opening their presents...and helping everyone else open theirs too! |
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| Grandma Jody and Ann came over to our home the morning of Christmas Eve. You loved opening presents, and playing with your new toys! |
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| After enjoying a Christmas celebration with Grandma Jody and Ann we headed to MovieGrille to see a showing of "The Polar Express". The theater has reclining seats and serves meals to you while you watch the show. We brought along the boys' blankets to be even more comfortable! We then went to church for the Christmas Eve service. For the first time, the church decided to use battery-operated candles, over traditional ones. It was perfect timing for our family, as each of the boys wanted to hold their own candle. Once home we were all a little tired - Patrick made our Papa Murphys pizzas while Harvick and Jarrett rested with me on the couch. |
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| After dinner the boys opened their stockings! The boys each got a new pair of pajamas - when Ryder opened his he told us "I've ALWAYS wanted NEW pajamas!" - Patrick says to enjoy that reaction now because in years to come he won't be quite so excited. Each boy got a few put-it-together toys, a new notepad and pen, and a Kevin Harvick #4 hat! We spent the rest of the evening playing with the new toys, and just spending time together. A perfect night! |
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| Our traditional pajama photo in front of our Christmas tree. The boys all get a kick out of the self-timer feature, and want to take turns setting it up. Some are better than others at keeping the camera settings exactly where we set them. |
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| On Christmas morning we opened presents - the boys each got their own scooter, a puzzle/game, and a handmade (by Patrick) train tunnel. We spent the rest of the morning playing, primarily with the trains! |
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| Before leaving the boys rode around in the driveway, practicing their scooter skills. We enjoyed dinner, opening presents, and playing the piano at Grandpa Jim and Grandma Martha's house Christmas night. |
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| We continued the tradition we started last year, and gave the boys one final present after they were ready for bed - a new book to share. This year's book was "What Does the Fox Say". The boys became enamored with the song as soon as they heard it, and quickly learned the different noises. Last year we took a photo of us reading together - this year we tried again, but all three boys were more aware of the camera. Christmas this year was spread over several days, which was a perfect way for us to celebrate. The boys enjoyed opening each present, and genuinely loved spending so much time together. Merry Christmas! |
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| Last year Grandma Jody and Ann let us have their Christmas train, knowing how much the boys would enjoy it. This year, we set it up again, and they were just as enamored by it. Every night, after reading a bedtime story, they would negotiate how many times they got to watch it go around the tree before going to bed. I would text a picture to Grandma Jody and Ann every night! |
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| The Saturday before our anniversary Patrick and I went to dinner and a movie, followed by a treat from Red Mango! On our actual anniversary, we continued our tradition of taking our boys out to dinner with us. We stopped at the Roy City Park to view their light display, and the boys took the opportunity to roll around in the snow-filled gully. Spending your anniversary with your kids might not be the traditional thing to do, but we love it! Happy 9 years! |
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| Celebrating 9 years...by putting it on Facebook! |
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| When we went to the bulk candy store to buy candy for homemade gingerbread houses, we came across these cute kits instead. The boys loved getting to decorate their own house, and only "sampled" the decorations a few times! |
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| Brothers . November 2013 (Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett) |
